Amrita linked her arm with mine and gently guided me inside, her voice bubbling with excitement as she talked nonstop.

“You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for this day, Diya,” she said, squeezing my arm lightly. “Vansh wouldn’t stop talking about you. Every single day it’s ‘When is Didi coming?’, ‘Will Didi like my drawing?’ I told him you were finally coming today and he started jumping on the bed like a little monkey! I had to calm him down for almost twenty minutes.”

I walked beside her, completely stunned by everything around me. The entrance hall alone was breathtaking — soaring vaulted ceilings with massive crystal chandeliers that sparkled like stars, polished marble floors so shiny they reflected our images like glass, and walls adorned with beautiful paintings and fresh flower arrangements that filled the air with a sweet, delicate fragrance. It felt less like a home and more like a palace belonging to royalty. Every object, every detail, looked impossibly expensive and elegant.

“Amrita… this place is huge,” I whispered, my eyes wide as I tried to take it all in. “It looks like it belongs to some royal family. How do you even find your way around here? I feel so small.”

Amrita laughed warmly, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “You’ll get used to it, I promise. At first, I used to get lost too! I once spent fifteen minutes trying to find the kitchen. But it’s home now. Come, the living room is this way. I can’t wait for you to meet Vansh properly.”

We walked through a long, sunlit corridor lined with tall arched windows that overlooked perfectly manicured gardens. My steps felt hesitant and small on the cool marble. Everything was so vast, so grand — massive crystal vases, antique furniture with intricate carvings, and soft golden lighting that made the entire space glow with warmth and luxury. I felt completely out of place in my simple shirt and jeans.

When we entered the living room, I saw Vansh near a low wooden table, carefully arranging his colorful paintings with great concentration. The moment he looked up and saw me, his entire face lit up with a bright, mesmerizing smile that melted my heart.

“Didi!” he cried happily.

He dropped everything and ran toward me with fast, excited steps, his little feet pattering on the floor. When he reached me, he wrapped his small arms tightly around my legs.

I quickly bent down, scooped him up into my arms, and placed a warm, gentle kiss on his soft cheek.

“How are you, my cutie pie?” I asked softly, smiling as I held him close, rocking him a little.

Vansh grew shy, hiding his face in my shoulder for a moment before peeking out. “I am good,” he whispered. “I missed you so much.” Then he hugged me even tighter, his small hands clutching my shirt.

I let out a soft, affectionate laugh, gently rubbing his back. “I missed you too, sweetheart.”

From the corner of my eye, I saw Amrita watching us with a soft, tender expression on her face, a gentle and loving smile playing on her lips. She looked truly happy.

She guided us toward a luxurious seating area with plush sofas. “Come, let’s sit down. You must be tired after that long cab ride. Make yourself comfortable, Diya.”

We settled onto the soft cushions. Amrita immediately started talking again, her words flowing without pause. “So tell me, Diya, how has work been lately? Are you eating properly? I know you live alone now and I worry about you all the time. You work so hard. Vansh, beta, show Didi the painting you made for her!”

Vansh shyly handed me a colorful drawing — a stick figure of me holding his hand, with big red hearts all around and a bright yellow sun smiling above us. I looked at it with pure delight, my eyes softening with emotion.

“This is so beautiful, Vansh,” I said warmly, tracing the lines with my finger. “Thank you so much. I love it. I’m going to keep it forever.”

I kissed his forehead once more. His little face turned bright red. He blushed deeply and hid against my side, but kept holding my hand tightly the entire time, his small fingers wrapped around mine.

Suddenly, a deep, calm, and authoritative voice filled the room.

“Let your friend take some rest, Amrita. She just arrived.”

Everyone turned toward the sound. Amrita and I stood up immediately. Vansh’s face lit up with pure joy. “Papa!” he shouted happily and ran toward the man with open arms.

The man effortlessly lifted Vansh into his arms, holding him securely against his chest. He looked at Amrita with soft, affectionate eyes, then turned his gaze toward me. His presence was commanding yet warm and composed.

“Welcome,” he said in a deep, steady voice. “I hope you feel comfortable here.” He gave a small, polite nod in greeting.

I stood frozen, my soul feeling like it had left my body. My mind struggled to process what I was seeing.

This man — Vansh’s father, Amrita’s husband — was the current Minister of the state.

I could barely breathe. The luxurious palace, the heavy security, everything suddenly made sense… and yet I felt completely overwhelmed and out of place.

Amrita grinned widely beside me, clearly enjoying my shocked expression. Vansh, still in his father’s arms, looked between us with innocent joy, completely unaware of my inner turmoil.

I stood there, heart racing, trying to find my voice in this completely unexpected world.